| Content | The immense flexibility of software mixers notwithstanding, there's nothing like the in-your-face punch, articulation, and dimensionality that a quality analog summing mixer can impart to your productions. The Phoenix Audio’s Nicerizer Series summing mixers rock proprietary Class A circuitry and smart features that make them legendary analog tone machines for a digital world. A 16-channel DAW summing mixer in a 2RU 19″ rackmount chassis, the Nicerizer 16 Mk2 puts critical elements such as circuit gain staging and panning back into the analog realm where they handily outperform their digital emulations.
Hi-fidelity transformerless input stage
With their Nicerizer summing mixer, Phoenix takes a decidedly modern approach to Class A circuit design. The company's proprietary transformerless input stage delivers the full frequency spectrum with crystal-clear clarity and punch. Transformers tend to slow things down a bit — which can sound amazing in certain cases; but then slew rates take a hit, delivering sluggish transients and limiting your tonal palette.
Driven conservatively, Phoenix Audio's electronically balanced input stage serves up ultra-clear high-fidelity sound. If you're after fatter, more saturated tones, engage the +8dB switch individually on any channel to drive the circuit hotter for a punchy in-your-face sound that only discrete Class A buffer amps can deliver. The Nicerizer 16 Mk2 captures articulate, full-bodied input signals, allowing you to drive the output stage for an immense range of pure Class A tone, from modern audiophile clarity to vintage-flavored warmth.
Masterful transformer-balanced output stage
Phoenix Audio couples their custom-wound DB694 output transformer to a fully discrete, proprietary DSOP-2 output amplifier, itself a direct descendant of the renowned TF1 amp that Phoenix chief designer David Rees developed as an upgrade for vintage Neve 80 Series console modules. Outperforming the TF1, the DSOP-2 represents a pinnacle of Class A output circuit design, offering a seamless tonal range from ultra-clean to gorgeously saturated. With its big iron and massive headroom, you can drive the DSOP-2 to taste. Crank the Nicerizer's output stage to elicit beautifully saturated tones; back off for a cleaner high-fidelity sound, or dial up any flavor in-between.
The Width control
Once you've used the Nicerizer, you'll realize how valuable its unique control set is. The Width control incorporates elements of mid-side processing to narrow or widen your stereo image with the twist of a knob. If you haven’t used a width control before, trust Sweetwater: you're in for a treat! The Nicerizer's Width control offers a degree of spacial manipulation that can instantly tighten up a sprawling arrangement or unlock hidden dimensions in a mix.
Balanced/unbalanced
If your inputs come from a variety of sources, you're bound to be dealing with both balanced and unbalanced signals. No worries! The Nicerizer’s 16 inputs can accept either — without any of the gain loss all too common with many mixer inputs. This amazingly useful feature lets you easily execute many functions that are fast becoming standard practices, such as looping through guitar pedals or recording MIDI-driven synthesizers in real time while mixing.
Stereo bus insert
Today, it's quite common while mixing to strap a compressor or other processor across the mix bus, and the Nicerizer 16 Mk2's stereo bus insert makes it easy. Monitor punchy, loudness-optimized mixes and get a head start on mastering while you're still mixing.
Independently controlled AUX output
Just before it hits the output transformers, the Nicerizer mults an output signal and routes it to a dedicated front-panel level control. This independently controlled AUX output lets you drive external monitor amps or simply bypass the output stage to send a transformerless sound to your recording device.
2-track Return
Another feature borrowed from large-format consoles is the 2-track Return input that lets you monitor an external output source through the Nicerizer's onboard headphone amplifier. Incredibly convenient, and great for A/B comparisons!
The Monitor Select switch
The Nicerizer 16 Mk2 features a unique Monitor Select switch, which lets you easily monitor single pairs of channels (1–2, 3–4, etc.), in addition to any of the Nicerizer's other stereo ports. Infinitely handy for a variety of workflows, this switch is the mixer's secret weapon, ready for all sorts of creative uses, from individual stem work to comparing mixes to direct comparison of multiple analog sources.
The Monitor Select switch Toggle
Once you’ve chosen which input pair you want to monitor via the Monitor Select switch, the Toggle allows you to monitor either the Left or Right channels in mono on both channels via the headphone amp, or to monitor in stereo. Critical analysis of your audio signals has never been easier.
Flexible LED metering
Following the Monitor Select switch, the Nicerizer's LED meter display gives you constant visual confirmation of your operating levels. Another big-console feature, the flexibility afforded by the metering being selectable for each channel as well as the main outputs makes the Nicerizer 16 Mk2's metering setup indispensable for gain management as you finalize your productions.
Phoenix Audio Nicerizer 16 Mk2 Features:
- 16-channel DAW Summing Mixer in a 2RU 19-inch rackmount chassis
- 16 channels of discrete Class A balanced transformerless input stage
- Discrete Class A transformer-balanced DSOP-2 output stage
- Phoenix custom-wired transformers on both outputs
- Individual detented pan controls on each channel
- 16 balanced XLR inputs accept balanced or unbalanced inputs with no -6dB loss
- Unbalanced 1/4-inch TRS insert sends on all Busses, including master Stereo Mix Bus insert
- +8dB Boost button on each channel
- Master mix bus output level control
- Stereo LED level monitoring, switchable for each channel and Stereo Mix Bus
- Stereo/Mono External/Headphone monitoring output is switchable to each channel, external input (via 2T Return), AUX and main output (L, R, and Stereo)
- Main Outputs on balanced XLRs
- Unbalanced 1/4-inch TRS jacks for AUX outputs with front-panel level control
- 2-track stereo mono inputs on 1/4-inch TRS balanced jacks
- Bypassable Class A stereo Width control with lossless bass (pannable from mono to 25% Wider)
- Maximum Output Level of +26dB
- Generous headroom available on all channels
- Wired with PTFE silver-plated mil-spec cable
| SSL UF8 Advanced DAW Controller
The SSL UF8 is an advanced DAW controller designed to fit the needs of DAW-based workflows and ultra-fast turn-around times. The SSL UF8 features 8, 100mm touch sensitive faders, 8 endless rotary encoders and 43 assignable keys. An expandable 8-channel advanced DAW controller, UF8 connects engineers, producers and artists directly to the creative process, offering absolute command of their workflow and significantly accelerating the speed of audio production and content creation.
Advanced Workflow
UF8 offers intuitive features that are developed from a true understanding of production workflow. Take ultimate control with simultaneous access to multiple DAW sessions, and precise navigation with a multi-purpose Master Encoder for DAW timeline access, track banking and mouse wheel emulation. 'Dual-purpose Selection Keys permit rapid access to select functions as well as solo and mute clearing in Pro Tools and Logic Pro. New CHANNEL and PLUG-IN control modes provide enhanced workflows for those using UF8 with Pro Tools, with easy access to sends and plug-ins without slowing down your creativity.
Configurability
Each UF8 comes equipped with 43 assignable user keys set across 5 configurable banks, allowing users to configure their essential keyboard shortcuts and macros for total session control. Add multiple controllers to create your unique mixing system; build your perfect 16-24 channel music creation hub, or connect 4 UF8’s within a single system to create a 32-channel controller ideal for large post production or mixing sessions. Multiple UF8s can be chained together using the THRU port and provide a safe place for iLok storage. For perfect positioning, each UF8 includes an adjustable stand allowing for six different angles of elevation for user defined placement. 19” rack mount kits are also available for installation into an ORIGIN console center section or other 19” studio racking.
360° Control
SSL’s new 360° software application provides fast configuration and admin control of your UF8. With an expanded system, ‘drag-n-drop’ configuration gives quick and dynamic access to each individual controller set up. Customise workflows and define up to 3 different DAW layers for simultaneous session control, with all changes managed without getting in the way of your productivity.
SSL UF8 Features:
- High-quality 100 mm touch sensitive faders
- High-resolution colour displays
- All metal enclosure, finished with a brushed, anodised top plate
- 8 Endless Rotary Encoders
- Custom Workflows with 43 assignable keys per UF8; 5 banks of 8 User Keys + 3 Quick Keys
- Intelligent Multi-Purpose CHANNEL Encoder
- Mouse Scroll Emulation; control of any plug-in parameter you hover the mouse over with absolute precision
- Integrates With All Major DAWs with workflow ready templates
- Pro Tools | Logic Pro | Cubase | Ableton Live | Studio One
- Hi-Speed USB connectivity
- Switch Control between 3 Simultaneously connected DAWs
- Bundled with SSL Native Vocalstrip 2 & Drumstrip plug-in
| BEHRINGER X32 RACK " Rack Mixer
- 32 Channels
- 16 XLR Mic/Line inputs
- 8 Stereo FX returns
- 25 Buses
- 6 Matrix buses with insert
- 6 Mute groups
- 8 DCA groups
- 8 XLR outputs
- 6 AUX inputs via 6.3 mm jack (optional: 2 via RCA)
- 6 AUX outputs via 6.3 mm jack (optional: 2 via RCA)
- Adjustable headphone jack
- 32 x 32 USB audio interface
- Talkback microphone input (XLR)
- 4-Band fully parametric EQ on each channel
- Adjustable delays on all channels
- Virtual effects rack with 8 FX slots
- Built-in stereo USB recorder
- Remote control via Ethernet
- 5" TFT display
- Compatible with the Behringer P-16 personal monitoring system
- Format: 19" / 3U
- Dimensions: 132 x 483 x 287 mm
- Weight: 6.5 kg
| Heritage Audio's MCM-8 MK2 is an 8-slot 500 Series chassis with an integrated 10-channel summing mixer. The top-of-the-line MCM-8 MK2 features On Slot Technology that leverages next-generation power electronics to handle power supply on a per slot basis. Each slot has its own power supply linear regulation stages, isolating each module from the rest. Your modules simply share the metal enclosure. Each slot even has test LEDs for checking correct power operation. Dual-concentric potentiometers handle Volume and Pan for each slot, with pan pots being center detented for precise center positioning. Each channel is equipped with an On switch to assign it to the mix bus. MK2 improvements include a lower noise floor and the addition of a bypass switch for each slot that still lets you use the summing mixer functions. Heritage Audio has earned the respect of Sweetwater engineers, and the MCM-8 MK2 lives up to that sterling reputation.
Superb build and feature set
From its RAF blue-gray enclosure to the solid tactile feedback from its knobs and switches, the Heritage Audio MCM-8 MK2 unabashedly rocks vintage British Class A vibe. And just like the classic gear that inspires all Heritage Audio equipment, the MCM-8 MK2 boasts superb build quality and a very smart feature set. There's an additional stereo input on the back panel, which allows several MCM-8 MK2 units to be daisy-chained — or signals not needing further 500 Series processing to be mixed together. The central section sports analog VU meters and a Stereo Master fader. Gold-plated XLRs and DSUB25s handle the I/O.
Smart technology, superior sound
Thanks to Heritage Audio's On Slot Technology (OST), the MCM-8 MK2's power capability is a maximum of 400mA per rail, per slot — with an overall of 1.4A (1.6A non-continuous) per rail, whichever is reached first. Total available phantom power is 140mA. The mix bus has a passive voltage summing topology, similar to that found in Rupert Neve's 80 Series consoles of the 1970s. The gain loss is restored by the same Class A, 2n3055 driven, transformer-based output stage used in the Heritage Audio's modern-day version of the classic 1073. If you're not into specs, what this all means is that the MCM-8 MK2 is built right to give you many years of authoritative sonic performance and trouble-free use in your studio or on the road.
Heritage Audio MCM-8 MK2 Features:
- 8-slot 500 Series chassis with integrated 10-channel summing mixer
- NEW lower noise floor
- NEW bypass switch for each slot that leaves summing mixer functions enabled
- Mix bus with vintage Neve-style passive voltage summing topology
- Additional stereo input on the back panel allows several MCM-8s to be daisy-chained
- Central section sports analog VU meters and a Stereo Master fader
- Handles power supply on a per slots basis, isolating each module from the rest
- Gold-plated XLRs and DSUB25s handle your I/O
- 140mA total available phantom power
- Class A transformer-based output stage
- Solid build quality for many years of trouble-free use
| Working inside the box? Sweetwater would like to recommend a summing mixer that will seriously up your game: the Rupert Neve Designs 5059 Satellite Shelford Edition. If you record and mix entirely within your DAW, you’re hampered by the inability to leverage the sonic advantages of high-quality analog outboard gear. Enter the 5059 Satellite. The 5059 gives you 16 channels — each with individual level and pan, plus insert and bus-2 send buttons. You get two stereo buses with RND’s proprietary Silk Texture controls, giving you effortless integration with outboard equipment, total control for two separate stem mixes, and the facility to dial in harmonic enhancement in two distinct flavors.
It’s a Neve
In serious audio circles, Rupert Neve needs no introduction. Large-format Neve consoles from the 1970s are considered by many to be the pinnacle of analog mixer design. Boasting the same design heritage and sonic perfectionism that went into the boards used to record countless hit records, the 5059 Satellite Summing Mixer graces your tracks with legendary Rupert Neve warmth, punch, and presence. With 16 channels of Rupert Neve designed Class A alchemy and flexible tonal and routing options, the Rupert Neve Designs 5059 Satellite Summing Mixer will take your DAW-based studio’s sound to a whole new level.
Dial in the Silk
The Rupert Neve Designs’ 5059 Satellite Summing Mixer’s continuously variable Texture controls with Silk and Silk+ modes let you fine-tune the harmonic ratio and tonality of each of 5059’s stereo buses. The Silk mode adds sparkle to your tracks by introducing alluringly airy transformer saturation in the high frequencies. Silk+ mode accentuates saturation in the low frequencies, adding density and thickness to the source — particularly desirable when you’ve got a dry, lackluster mix. Distinctly different sounding from equalization, Texture saturates the output transformers, adding sweet, musical even-order harmonics to your source material for authoritative, radio-ready mixes that blast right out of the speakers.
Flexibility: it’s a beautiful thing
The dual stereo outputs of the Rupert Neve Designs 5059 Satellite Summing Mixer are perfect for creating stem mixes, which you can enhance using the 5059’s Silk/Texture controls, then process through bus compressors or other devices via the inserts, finally feeding into the inputs of another mixer or your interface. You can send any input to stereo bus 1 or 2, and create two very different-sounding mixes from the same 16 channels. These are just some examples of the amazing flexibility you’ll enjoy when integrating the 5059 into your recording rig. Smartly attired in classic Shelford livery, the Rupert Neve Designs 5059 Satellite Summing Mixer is housed in a rugged, fan-cooled 2U steel chassis for dependable, no-compromise professional performance year after year, in the studio or on the road.
The legend continues
Rupert Neve’s 80-series consoles had a huge, punchy, and authoritative sound that defined the sound of ’70s rock. From London to New York to Los Angeles and beyond, top studios were installing Neve boards as fast as they could. By 1977, with the introduction of the NECAM automation system, 80-series boards were the main component of the success formula for any recording studio with world-class aspirations. Mr. Neve’s current company, Rupert Neve Designs, continues to advance the state of the art with cutting-edge products that sound incredible and intelligently address the challenges of the digital age. With your Rupert Neve Designs 5059 Satellite Shelford Edition from Sweetwater, the legend continues.
Rupert Neve Designs 5059 Satellite Summing Mixer Shelford Edition Features:
- Classic Neve: Class A, all transformer-balanced, and awesome-sounding
- Zero crossover distortion and unmatched purity
- Custom transformers provide galvanic isolation and serve up "larger than life" sound
- Sets a standard for rackmountable summing mixers
- 16 inputs/channels (with level controls, pans, and inserts); 2 stereo buses
- Send any input to stereo bus 1 or 2, each with variable Silk/Silk+ Texture
- Dual Stereo Outputs let you split the input channels into 2 stems for further processing and mixing
- Stereo buss 1 and 2 each has its own XLR outs
- DB-25 line input, insert send/return connectors
- Rugged 2U fan-cooled chassis, clad in classic Shelford livery
| The Dangerous Music Liaison puts the fun back into trying out creative combinations of gear. The Liaison also lets your setup remain absolutely flexible — just what you need if you want to survive in a market that often demands recording, mixing, and mastering services from a single studio. The Liaison's claim to fame is that it combines your favorite pieces of music gear together in various configurations, allowing you to try out new gear combinations and recall them later. But there's a lot more to the Dangerous Music Liaison than mere signal routing.
Mix, match, store, and recall all your favorite gear combinations
Dangerous Music has always been dedicated to providing serious engineers with the most useful gear possible. They've upped the ante again, with the Liaison. The Liaison lets you experiment with different combinations of gear, giving you a total of six discrete 2-channel inputs and two 2-channel buses. Want to hear how that compressor sounds pre- and post-EQ? With a Liaison, you can audition various hardware combinations as easily as swapping around plug-ins in a DAW. What's more, you can store and recall your favorite setups, so you can keep that killer vocal compression chain or that thumping kick drum processing path close at hand.
Flexible stereo buses give you advanced configuration options
When we ran the Dangerous Music Liaison through its paces here at Sweetwater, we found that its stereo buses do more than just compare two discrete signal paths. Depending on how you configure them, these stereo buses can provide you with two completely independent, flexible signal chains, each serving as its own small routing matrix. You can also combine both buses to create a long and flexible continuous signal-processing chain, in which you can reorder entire sections of your gear setup. Even cooler, you can use the Liaison's buses to establish complex parallel signal processing — opening up limitless sonic possibilities.
Mastering-grade components for unrivaled sound quality
As is the case with all Dangerous Music products, the Liaison is made entirely from mastering-grade components, so you never have to worry about audio coloration or latency. In fact, when set to simply pass audio, professional grade testers used to measure the Liaison read as though they were plugged into themselves. Talk about quality control! Here are some of the other specifics. Both the inserts and the buses feature straight-wire, unamplified, balanced signal paths. All audio is relay-switched via top-quality, gas-filled, bifurcated contact relays — ensuring that all switching is absolutely noiseless. The rest of the Liaison's signal paths feature mastering-grade components made by THAT Corp. and Burr-Brown.
What the pros are saying about the LIAISON:
- "The Dangerous LIAISON feels like engaging light-speed for my workflow...and make no mistake: workflow IS sound. The sheer speed at which you can do critical comparisons of entire signal chains does have a direct and positive impact how your music will sound." — Alberto Rizzo Schettino (Engineer)
- "One of the best features of the LIAISON is the monitor outs...you can monitor the signal at four points in the chain: before and after Bus A and B. The usefulness of this feature is huge, and Dangerous deserves major props for including it! The switching of inserts is managed by beefy relays that are as transparent as any I've ever heard." — Adam Gonsalves (Mastering Engineer)
- "LIAISON gives you the impetus to rethink how you record, mix, and master your music...[and] using the LIAISON is dead simple. I think of LIAISON not as an insert switcher, but as a creativity enabler." — Andy Hong (Writer/Reviewer)
- "The Dangerous LIAISON is incredibly exciting. To have a device that lets you so easily switch between processors, swap the order of processors, do quick A-B comparisons of signal chains. It makes my work better!" — Jonathan Wyner (Mastering Engineer)
- "Being able to switch devices from one bus to the other is extremely useful. The fast switching is amazing!" — Jeff Lipton (Mastering Engineer)
- "The LIAISON is really important — I can do a lot of combinations of chaining gear and I am able to work a lot faster. Before the LIAISON [I had to] switch the patchbay and compare the sounds. Now I am 20-times faster than before, I like the way the LIAISON allows me to still be in the energy of the music. — Antoine "Chab" Chabert (Mastering Engineer)
- "So happy with the LIAISON. Being able to switch gear in and out from the listening position without leaning over a patch bay is fantastic. After sitting in this chair for so many years, it actually improves my mixing ergonomics considerably." — Bob Power (Mastering Engineer)
Dangerous Music Liaison Features:
- Flexible signal routing matrix that allows you to combine the gear in your studio in fun, exciting, and creative ways
- Leverage all your gear, all the time
- Improve your tracks, mixes, and masters by auditioning and marrying the perfect ensemble of equipment
- 2 independent stereo buses mean you can set up 1 as a tracking path and the other as a mix path, without repatching, or chain them together
- Separate parallel processing loop to let drums breathe and crush simultaneously
- Create complex combinations of gear and A/B instantly
- Store your favorite settings to recall any tracking, mixing, or mastering configuration
- 6 stereo insert loops, assignable to 2 stereo buses
- Mastering-grade components ensure silent, relay-based switching and color-free audio
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